At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and young people to build confidence and achieve their potential.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council's dedicated STEPS Mentoring Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Herefordshire and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives every day with engaging activities and mentoring.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping youth, experience in education or social care, and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 28142 - 32062 £ per year.
Hours: 37
Salary: HC6 £28,142 - £32,062 per annum
Contract: Fixed Term Contract end: 30/09/2027
Closing date: 01/09/2026
Interview date: 09/09/2026
The Role
Are you passionate about helping children and young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential? Do you want a role where every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine difference?
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate STEPS Worker to join our successful Support To Engage, Participate & Succeed (STEPS) Mentoring Team within Herefordshire Virtual School.
What will you be doing?
This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with care experienced and vulnerable children and young people, supporting them to build confidence, resilience and aspirations for the future. Through a combination of 1:1 mentoring, group sessions, enrichment activities and trips, you will help young people develop the skills and self-belief they need to thrive both in education and beyond. As part of a dedicated and supportive team, you will work alongside schools, social workers, carers and other professionals to understand each young person's individual strengths and needs. No two days are the same. One day you may be delivering a mentoring session, the next organising a group activity, educational visit or confidence-building experience that creates lasting positive memories and outcomes.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Can build positive, trusting relationships with a wide range of young people.
- Has experience working in education, social care or a related setting.
- Is organised, proactive and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Enjoys planning and delivering engaging activities and experiences.
- Brings energy, creativity and a commitment to helping young people succeed.
We recognise that valuable experience comes in many forms and welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every requirement but can demonstrate the skills, qualities and life experiences that would enable them to excel in the role.
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- A supportive and experienced team committed to improving outcomes.
- A varied and rewarding role where every day is different.
- Access to a comprehensive programme of training and professional development.
- The chance to be part of a service that is ambitious for every child and young person it supports.
We are hoping for the successful candidate to start on 30 September 2026. However, we recognise that the right person may have commitments or notice periods to consider, and we are willing to be flexible on the start date for an exceptional candidate.
The role requires travel across Herefordshire, so access to a car is essential. Flexible working is required, as support is often delivered outside normal school and office hours; however, weekend working is not required. This post is offered on an initial one-year fixed-term contract, with the potential for extension.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Joanne Chick, Virtual School Headteacher for Vulnerable Children.
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
- Generous Annual Leave: 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
- Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.
Herefordshire Council Plan
The Council plan sets out how we will make our contribution to achieving a better and more successful Herefordshire.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, the C&YP Recruitment Team will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
STEPS Worker (Support To Engage, Participate & Succeed) in Hereford employer: Hoople
Hoople is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible working environment for Family Help Lead Practitioners dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable families in Herefordshire. With a strong emphasis on professional development and collaboration with multi-agency teams, employees are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to impactful family support initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land STEPS Worker (Support To Engage, Participate & Succeed) in Hereford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Hoople.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Hoople!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Hoople, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Hoople or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace STEPS Worker (Support To Engage, Participate & Succeed) in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Hoople:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hoople! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
